TOPIC

School-based research

Everything we have read on school-based. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

582 PAPERS · PAGE 5 OF 12 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTSurvey2021An investigation of the diet, exercise, sleep, BMI, and health outcomes of autistic adults.Molecular autismAutistic adults were less likely than non-autistic adults to meet minimal diet, exercise, and sleep recommendations, with more sleep problems and dietary restrictions, especially among autistic females.
• OTSurvey2021Clinicians' Views on the Need for Cultural Adaptation of Intervention for Children with ADHD from the Ultraorthodox Community.Occupational therapy internationalTherapists treating Ultraorthodox children with ADHD report needing to adapt communication methods and visual materials. Parents often lack knowledge about the condition's biological basis, and stigma leads to hiding diagnoses. Standard digital contact and culturally mismatched images hinder engagement.
• OTSystematic Review2021Coaching Parents of Children with Sensory Integration Difficulties: A Scoping Review.Occupational therapy internationalCoaching parents of children with autism and sensory difficulties showed promise in four small studies, improving parent competence and child behavior. However, evidence is preliminary, designs varied widely, and long-term maintenance is unproven.
• OTSurvey2021Occupational Therapy Services in School-Based Practice: A Pediatric Occupational Therapy Perspective from Ireland.Occupational therapy internationalIrish school-based OTs mostly deliver one-to-one therapy and see schools monthly, but lack specific training and guidelines. They value collaboration but struggle to implement it due to time and workload constraints.
• OTSLPCohort2021Relationship Between Parent and Teacher Reported Executive Functioning and Maladaptive Behaviors in Children With Down Syndrome.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesTeachers reported more executive functioning problems than parents in children with Down syndrome. Better behavioral regulation and metacognition were linked to fewer attention and externalizing problems. These concurrent links suggest targeting inhibitory and emotional control may help, but do not prove causation.
• PTOTOther2022Changes in Internet Use Over Time Among Individuals with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationInternet use among people with traumatic spinal cord injury rose from 77.7% in 2012 to 88.1% in 2018, and mobile internet use rose from 40.7% to 77.3%, though age, income, education and injury level gaps remained.
• PTOTQualitative2021Facilitators for coping with the COVID-19 pandemic: Online qualitative interviews comparing youth with and without disabilities.Disability and health journalYouth with and without disabilities described social support, money, keeping busy, and work-life balance as things that helped them cope during the pandemic. Youth with disabilities more often relied on family and government supports, while not commuting made remote work and school especially helpful.
• OTSLPSurvey2022Therapy use for U.S. school-aged children with developmental disabilities: State variation and determinants.Disability and health journalOnly 34.6% of U.S. school-aged children with developmental disabilities were currently using therapy services. Use varied by state, from 21.7% in Iowa to 51.1% in the District of Columbia. State-level factors did not explain these differences.
• PTOTOther2021Application of Inertial Measurement Units and Machine Learning Classification in Cerebral Palsy: Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesCustom wrist sensors plus machine learning separated movement samples from children with CP from typical movement samples on a stop sign task, correctly classifying 85.75% of older samples and 88.13% of younger samples. This is a measurement method, not proof that therapy works.
• PTOTQualitative2022Educational support needs of injured children and their families: A qualitative study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineInjured children and parents report that schools often isolate them in separate zones or exclude them from physical education out of caution. Families say a trusted key worker is essential to coordinate flexible learning and keep children with their peers.
• OTOther2021Proximal and distal movement patterns during a graphomotor task in typically developing children and children with handwriting problems.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationChildren with handwriting problems drew shapes less accurately and moved their shoulders and upper backs differently than peers. However, the amount of movement did not predict writing quality. Accuracy errors, not joint dynamics, were the strongest predictors of legibility and speed.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Understanding Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Autism-Related Service Use Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersBlack, Asian, and Native American children with autism received fewer outpatient services than white children, but more school-based services. This suggests families may be substituting school therapy for medical care, potentially hiding access barriers in the outpatient setting.
• OTSLPMeta-Analysis2021IQ and Internalising Symptoms in Adolescents with ASD.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdolescents with ASD and lower IQs reported significantly more anxiety, but parents did not. Higher IQs were linked to more depression. Clinicians must ask adolescents directly about anxiety rather than relying on parent reports, especially for those with lower cognitive abilities.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Which Factors Influence Teacher Report of Adaptive Functioning in Autistic Children?Journal of autism and developmental disordersTeachers reported very low adaptive functioning in autistic children. Scores dropped as age and parent-reported autism severity increased. Higher nonverbal ability and expressive language predicted better scores. Direct autism assessment did not predict adaptive functioning, except for motor skills.
• OTSLPCohort2022Trajectories of Symptom Severity in Children with Autism: Variability and Turning Points through the Transition to School.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAmong 187 children with autism followed from diagnosis to age 10, 51 improved continuously and 136 improved then plateaued around age 6. Higher scores on language, cognitive, and adaptive behavior measures were seen in the continuously improving group.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on therapy service delivery and functioning for school-aged children with disabilities in the United States.Disability and health journalCaregivers of children with disabilities reported losing therapy services during the pandemic, with 42% losing all therapy. Over half saw declines in endurance, communication, social skills, and behavior. Children with multiple diagnoses experienced greater declines across most domains.
• OTSLPOther2022Characterizing Social Functioning in School-Age Children with Sensory Processing Abnormalities.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with sensory abnormalities had worse social functioning than typically developing children and similar functioning to children with autism, even when communication differences were considered.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Parent Questionnaires in the Evaluation of Pre-School Children Referred for Neuropsychiatric Assessment.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParent questionnaires tracked with autism severity, but the ABC missed many children with higher IQs. The ESSENCE-Q identified almost all diagnosed cases regardless of ability. Use these tools as guides for assessment, not as standalone diagnostic proof.
• OTSLPCohort2022Impact of School Closures due to COVID-19 on Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Japan.Journal of autism and developmental disordersSchool closures increased aggressive behavior and externalizing problems in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, with anxiety and depression rising only in those with intellectual disability. Most children showed small changes, but some deteriorated markedly.
• OTSLPCohort2021Peer preferences and characteristics of same-group and cross-group social interactions among autistic and non-autistic adolescents.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic students strongly preferred interacting with other autistic peers, while non-autistic students showed no significant preference for either group. Over five months, both groups increasingly sought out same-neurotype partners. Social interactions between autistic peers were more reciprocal and relational than those across neurotypes.
• OTCohortAdolescent Chronic Health Conditions and School Disconnectedness.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPFifteen-year-olds with chronic health conditions, especially developmental or behavioral ones, reported feeling less part of school, more trouble with teachers and peers, and more bullying than peers without conditions.
• OTSLPCohort2022Adding the missing voice: How self-report of autistic youth self-report on an executive functioning rating scale compares to parent report and that of youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or neurotypical development.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic youth self-report executive function problems that match their parents' overall pattern but are consistently less severe. Their own reports identify flexibility as a primary struggle, validating the use of self-report alongside parent forms to capture the patient's perspective.
• OTSLPQualitative2022Caregiver perspectives on the impact of uncertainty on the everyday lives of autistic children and their families.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents of autistic children described school and routine changes as major sources of anxiety. Children reacted with repetitive questions, shutdowns or avoidance, leading to missed education and social opportunities. Parents managed this through extensive preparation, reassurance and family accommodation.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Goal Attainment Scaling: An Idiographic Measure Sensitive to Parent and Teacher Report of IEP Goal Outcome Assessment for Students with ASD.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAn independent observer's goal attainment ratings correlated with parent and teacher reports of progress, but not with standardized behavior scales. This supports using individualized goal tracking for IEPs, while suggesting broad norm-referenced tests miss specific skill changes.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022A community-engaged approach to examining barriers and facilitators to accessing autism services in Korean immigrant families.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceKorean immigrant parents described barriers to autism services including long waitlists, school dismissals, and stigma. They valued family-centered care, bilingual providers, and community organizations. These findings highlight specific communication and navigation needs for therapists working with this population.
• OTSurvey2022Child and Parental Mental Health as Correlates of School Non-Attendance and School Refusal in Children on the Autism Spectrum.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents reported children on the autism spectrum missed 6.3 full days and 3.8 half days over 20 school days. School refusal accounted for 57.2% of full-day absences. Parents not in paid work were linked to more absences.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Sitting on the Sidelines: Disparities in Social, Recreational, and Community Participation Among Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdolescents with autism from lower-income households and those with caregivers having less education participate significantly less in sports, clubs, and paid work. Males with autism join fewer clubs and organized activities than females. These disparities are present during middle and high school.
• PTOTQualitative2022Research agenda setting with children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Lessons learned.Child: care, health and developmentChildren with juvenile arthritis prioritized research on how the condition affects their future schooling, work, and relationships, followed by fatigue, pain, medication administration, and safe sports participation. These priorities differed significantly from those of adults and clinicians.
• OTQualitative2022Experiences of Students, Teachers, and Parents Participating in an Inclusive, School-Based Informal Engineering Education Program.Journal of autism and developmental disordersStudents on the autism spectrum described a school-based engineering club as a space where their focused interests were valued rather than pathologized. This strength-based approach supported their autonomy, engagement, and peer relationships, according to student, teacher, and parent reports.
• PTOTCohort2021Sport Specialization, Physical Performance and Injury History in Canadian Junior High School Students.International journal of sports physical therapySport specialization was not linked to higher injury odds or worse physical performance in Canadian junior high students. However, girls and students with more total sports hours had higher odds of reporting a previous injury, regardless of specialization level.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Teacher Characteristics, Knowledge and Use of Evidence-Based Practices in Autism Education in Ireland.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMost Irish primary teachers have low knowledge of autism evidence-based practices, relying instead on traditional methods. Teachers with more training and frequent access to allied health support report higher knowledge and use of these practices.
• OTRCT2022A preliminary randomized, controlled trial of executive function training for children with autism spectrum disorder.Autism : the international journal of research and practice10 hours of computer executive-function training plus coaching changed children's brain response during a conflict task, but did not improve lab or parent-reported executive function. A reduction in repetitive behaviors was not a planned main result.
• OTCase-Control2022Real-world executive functioning for autistic children in school and home settings.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic children were rated as having greater everyday executive function difficulties at school and at home, especially shifting between activities. Age-related differences appeared mainly in school, and ratings tracked adaptive behavior in the same setting.
• OTOther2022Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder of All Ages, Levels of Symptom Severity and General Cognitive Ability Display Low Processing Speed Index Scores Warranting Special Educational Assistance.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with autism and no intellectual disability had low processing speed scores. The low scores were present across ages, general ability, symptom severity and uneven verbal and reasoning score profiles. This suggests school support may be needed regardless of those differences.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022The diagnostic trajectory of developmental coordination disorder in the Netherlands: Experiences of mothers.Child: care, health and developmentMothers of children with DCD were mostly satisfied with the diagnosis, yet 40% found the process stressful and it took about three years. Satisfaction depended heavily on the diagnosing professional's manner and the support provided after the diagnosis.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Using ICF to Describe Problems With Functioning in Everyday Life for Children Who Completed Treatment for Brain Tumor: An Analysis Based on Professionals' Documentation.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesRecords for nine brain tumor survivors focused almost exclusively on body functions, ignoring how these problems link to school and social participation. Therapists should stop assuming medical charts capture daily life barriers and explicitly document activity limitations and environmental supports.
• OTSLPQualitative2022Exploring interpersonal and environmental factors of autistic adolescents' peer engagement in integrated education.Autism : the international journal of research and practicePeer engagement depended on shared interests and peers' acceptance of social styles. Autistic students thrived when activities allowed them to connect over common passions, while rigid behavioral expectations often led to rejection.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in a large, diverse metropolitan area: Variation by sociodemographic factors.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchActive surveillance found ASD in 36 per 1,000 public school children in four New Jersey counties. Prevalence varied widely by district and county. Hispanic children were identified less often than White peers. Mid-income districts showed higher rates than low or high-income ones.
• OTCohortParent-Reported Social Skills in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Longitudinal Patterns and Relations with Attention and Cognitive Functioning.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPParents reported social skills challenges in 32% of young children and 24% of school-age children with NF1. Early childhood inattention predicted later social difficulties. Cognitive ability did not correlate with social skills. Most children did not have significant social deficits.
• OTSLPCohort2022Children's Attention and Self-Regulatory Behavior Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPParents reported modest declines in children's attention, task engagement, and impulse control during the pandemic. Families facing four or more disruptions saw specific drops in waiting their turn. These changes were not linked to child demographics or pre-existing parent depression.
• PTOTSLPOther2022The use of Multi-Sensory Environments with autistic children: Exploring the effect of having control of sensory changes.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic children showed fewer repetitive movements and better attention when they controlled sensory equipment versus when it changed automatically. However, anxiety, social interaction, positive affect and arousal did not differ between the two conditions.
• OTSLPOther2022Sensory profile of children with Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD).CoDASCaregiver reports did not distinguish children with CAPD from children with typical auditory processing. A moderate visual sensory difference appeared, but the groups were not separated.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Executive functions and adaptive behaviour in individuals with Down syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRParents reported that children with Down syndrome struggle most with working memory, not emotional control. In school-age children, these executive function difficulties were strongly linked to poorer daily living and social skills, suggesting therapy should target these cognitive processes directly.
• OTCohort2022Family resources and school performance: an analysis of associated factors in middle school adolescents.CoDASAge and grade were linked to home resources in 124 middle-school students from a private school, but school performance was not significantly linked to the total Home Environment Resources Scale; having books at home showed a weak positive link.
• OTPilot2021Teachers' Perceptions of Handwriting Legibility Versus the German Systematic Screening for Motoric-Handwriting Difficulties (SEMS).OTJR : occupation, participation and healthThe SEMS screening test matched teacher opinions for Grade 2 students but missed problems in Grade 4s. It works for young children copying short texts but fails to catch older students whose handwriting breaks down during complex class tasks.
• PTOTSLPOther2021An Inclusive Early Childhood Intervention Program for Children With Disabilities: Possible Effects on Children and Nursery Teachers.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChildren with disabilities in inclusive nursery schools showed improved development and fewer emotional and peer problems after teachers used a structured behavioral support program for six months. Teachers reported higher confidence and lower state anxiety. No control group was used, so natural maturation cannot be ruled out.
• OTCohort2022The role of parental advocacy in addressing service disparities for transition-aged youth on the autism spectrum.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceYouth with autism whose parents reported more advocacy activities received more services, even after accounting for income, race, and the youth's abilities. This links parental effort to service access but does not prove that teaching advocacy causes families to get more support.
• OTOther2022Closing the Gap Between Theory and Practice: Conceptualisation of a School-Based Intervention to Improve the School Participation of Primary School Students on the Autism Spectrum and Their Typically Developing Peers.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn My Shoes is a school-based intervention designed to improve participation for autistic students and their peers. It combines teacher training, whole-class lessons, peer support, and parent handouts. It has not yet been tested for effectiveness, so it is a resource to consider, not a proven treatment.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Feasibility and Reliability of a Novel Game-Based Test of Neurological Function in Youth: The Equilibrium Test Battery.International journal of sports physical therapyAdolescents completed this game-based neurological test independently, but scores varied widely between days. Reliability was poor to moderate, meaning single scores are not stable enough for clinical decisions. Practice effects were prominent early on.
• OTQualitative2021Identifying Occupational Therapy Research Priorities in Trinidad and Tobago: A Group Concept Mapping Study.Occupational therapy internationalOccupational therapists and students in Trinidad and Tobago prioritized research into public health sector roles and school-based services. They viewed these areas as most important but less feasible than practitioner development, which was rated highly feasible but least important.